Electric snap switch



April 27, 1937.

Insulaion ald z @gula/ A. W. KRIEGER 2,078,253

ELECTRIC SNAP SWITCH Filed July l5, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l mil April 27, 1937. A. w. KRIEGER 2,078,253

ELECTRIC SNAP SWITCH Filed July 15, 1955 2' sheets-sheet 2 Patented Apr. 27, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE Cutler-Hammer, inc., poration oi Delaware Milwaukee, Wis., a cor'- Application July l5, 11935, Serial No. 31,4%

lll' Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in electric snap switches, and the same relates more particularly to electric snap switches oi the three-position type.

An object of the invention is to provisie a novel. sturdy, and compact switch mechanism of the aforementioned character'.

Another object is to provide a switch mechanism of the aforementioned character oi1 rela- 19 tively small dimensions but having a relatively high current-controlling capacity.

Another object is to minimize the number of different conducting and insulating parts required in the construction of switches* having 15 oliierent electrical circuit-controlling characteristics.

Another object is to provide a snap switch of the aforementioned character having an o" position corresponding to one extreme position of the operating lever and two on positions at one side oi said cnw position.

Another object is to provide such a switch having an intermediate ofi position and. two extreme on positions.

5 Another object is to provide a three-position switch the stationary and movable contact parts oi which are fully enclosed and which are properly insulated from each other in the 01T posi tion of the switch.

., Another object is to provide a novel combination oi actuating elements for the multiple switch mechanism.

Another object is to improve the details of construction and assembly oi the parts and; the operation oi switch mechanisms of the aiorementioned character.

Other objects anni advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawings illustrate certain embodiments o the invention which will now be described, it being understood that the embodiments illustrated are susceptible of modiilcation as to certain details of construction thereof without departing from the scope of? the r appended claims.

in the drawings, Figure i is a top plan view, actual size, oi a three-position snap switch conu structed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View on the line 50 2 2 of Fig. i,certain of the parts being shown in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the molded insulating base shown in Figs. l and 2 with the sta-- tionary contact and terminal elements ancl one of the bus members shown in position.

(ci. coo-ie) Fig. 4 is a perspective View. in separated relation, of the parts of the switch shown in Figs. l. to 3,-a fragment only of the supporting top plate being illustrated.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view, on the line 5 5--5 of Fig. 2,-certain of the parts being shown in elevation.

Fig. 6 is a schematic and diagrammatic illustration of the circuit-controlling elements of the switch shown in Figs. l to 5 and of the arrangement of circuits to be controlled thereby.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of multiple-circuit controlling switch having an intermediate oli position and a set of exposed wiring terminal screws at each end thereof.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the insulating base shown in Fig. 7, with the opposite end pairs of combined stationary Contact and wiring terminal members shown in position.

Fig. 9 is a schematic and diagrammatic illustration of the circuit-controlling elements shown in Figs. 7 and 8 and oi a pair of circuits to be controlled thereby.

Fig. 10 is a schematic and diagrammatic illustration oi a modied form of the switch shown in Figs. l to 6, wherein four pairs oi resilient stationary contacts are provided and one of the bus members oi Figs. l to G is omitted to provide a multiple-circuit controlling switch having an intermediate oil position.

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view of a modied form oi multiple-circuit controlling switch, which is functionally quite similar to the switches shown in Figs. 7 to 10, but of Substantially reduced longitudinal dimensions,

Fig. 12 is a schematic and diagrammatic illustration of the circuit-controlling parts oi the switch shown in Fig. 1l., and

Figs. 13 and 14 are detail perspective views showing the preferred manner of attaching the wires to the terminal members oi Fig. 12.

The switches herein disclosed embody certain features oi the switch structures described and claimed in my prior patents, No. 1,905,914, dated April 25, i933, and No. 1,998,962, dated April 23, 1935. The switch mechanisms herein clisclosed are likewise in some respects similar to the switch mechanism described and claimed. in the Stevens and Mener Patent No. 1,781,710, dated November 18, 1930.

Referring irst to Figs. i to 6, inclusive, the numeral i5 designates a relatively long molded insulating base which is preferably of substan-s tially rectangular contour. Said base is provided with a pair of relatively large substantially rectangular recesses I6 and I1 arranged in end to end relation and opening to the upper surface of the base. Arranged in spaced relation to the recesses I6 and I1 at the four corners of each of the same are the relatively small substantially rectangular recesses I8 to 2I and 22 to 25 which likewise open to the upper surface of base I5. Adapted for a press fit within the eight relatively small recesses are four right-hand and four lefthand terminal members I8, 20, 22, 24 and 2i, I9, 25, 23, respectively. Formed integrally with the respective terminal members (with the exception of the pair 23, 24 at the left-hand end of the base) are resilient stationary contacts I8b, lsb, Zlib, 2lb, 22b and 25b,the four contacts first mentioned being located in transversely alined pairs I8", 2|b and I9, 2lib within recess I6, and the transversely alined pair 22h, 25b being located within recess I1. The terminal members 23 and 24 are merely provided with horizontally extending lugs 23, 24 for a purpose hereinafter described.

If it is desired to effect concealed wiring of the switch the bared ends of the respective conductors may be attached to the respective terminal members 23, 24 and 2| by soldering or brazing (as indicated in dotted lines at the left-hand end of the switch in Fig. l1) prior to insertion of said terminal members within their respective recesses. In Figs. 1 to 4, however, I have shown the aforementioned terminal members as provided with end-wiring terminal elements 23d, 24d and 2|, respectively,-said elements being provided with extruded cylindrical bosses and said members being provided with openings to receive the bosses, which are then upset as indicated in Fig. 4 to mechanically and electrically connect said parts. The terminal elements are tapped to receive the usual binding screws 26. In order to support more rigidly the element 2Id during tightening of screw 26 I prefer to interpose between the same and the wall of recess 2l a small rectangular plate or block 21 of insulation. I have likewise shown a pair of blocks 21 associated with elements 23d and 24d, but said blocks may be omitted if desired, due to the use of the cylindrical insulating and reinforcing strut member 28. The form of the stationary contact and terminal members and the form of the recesses which accommodate the same are substantially like those illustrated in my aforementioned Patent No. i,998,962,-which, however, merely discloses one relatively large recess and four relatively small recesses in the base.

Base I5 is provided in its upper surface with a groove 29 to receive edgewise in a flush relation and with a press llt the bus member 30 the angularly bent ends of which are resiliently biased into engagement with the terminal members I9 and 26, respectively. Recesses I6 and I1 are respectively provided in the opposed side walls thereof with pairs of vertical ribs, as disclosed in my prior patents aforementioned, the upper ends of the pairs of vertical ribs being provided with open pivotal bearings to accommodate the outwardly extending ends of a pair of flat punched sheet metal contactors 3I and 32 of substantially U-shape. Said contactors are formed to provide abutments for the lower ends of coiled compression springs 33 and 34, respectively,the upper ends of said springs being provided with inverted cup-shaped stamped sheet metal members 33, 34 having concave upper ends to provide proper abutments for the rounded lower ends of the long arms 35, 36 of a pair of actuating Ievers 35 and 36. Levers 35 and 36, which preferably consist of flat sheet metal punchings, are likewise provided with relatively short arms 35b and 36b which are arranged at an acute angle with respect to said long arms.

Levers 35 and 36 are provided with rounded end portions 35, 36c which are adapted to provide for oscillatable support of said levers by the walls of a pair of recesses 31 and 31b in a molded insulating member 31,-the walls of said recesses being formed as shown to limit the degrees of oscillatory movement of said levers in opposite directions. The levers 35 and 36 which are of identical form are oppositely arranged with the long arms 35 and 36 thereof adjacent to each other, and the side walls of recesses 31 and 31b are so closely spaced as to limit the levers 35 and 36 to oscillatory movement in a single plane. Member 31 is also recessed as shown at 31, 31cl to receive the flat punched sheet metal operating lever 38 which is likewise limited to oscillatory movement in the aforementioned plane of the levers 35 and 36. Lever 38 is pivoted to member 31 as by means of a pin 39 having an enlarged intermediate portion 39 which is adapted for a drive fit within the opening 38 in said lever,- the member 31 being provided with alined transverse openings (one of which is shown at 31e in Fig. 4) to accommodate pin 39.

The upper end of operating lever 38 is provided with a spherical knob 38b (which may be attached thereto with a drive flt in a known manner) to facilitate manual operation thereof. The lower end 38 of lever 38 is of reduced and rounded formation, whereby the same is adapted for driving engagement with the walls of an intermediate rectangular opening 40 formed in the flat punched plate 40, which is preferably of insulating material. Plate 40 is slidable upon or with respect to the alined at ledges 31, 31l (Figs. 2 and 5) which are offset inwardly from the lower face of member 31 and which communicate with the aforementioned recesses in said member. Plate 40 is provided adjacent to opposite ends thereof with relatively longer openings 40b, 40 which are respectively adapted to accommodate the long arms 35 and 36 of levers 35 and 36. The end walls of openings 4I)b and 40 remote from each other are respectively adapted to engage the long arms 35 and 36 during movement of plate 40 from its intermediate position toward its extreme left-hand and right-hand positions, as will be obvious.

In Fig. 2 I have shown plate 40 in its extreme right-hand position with consequent right-hand positioning of the long arms 35, 36 of levers 35, 36 and left-hand positioning of contactors 3| and 32. With the parts so positioned the relatively short arm 36b of lever 36 is engaged with the left-hand end edge of plate 40. Accordingly upon movement of operating lever 38 from its extreme left-hand position (Fig. 2) toward the vertical position thereof plate 40 is slid toward the left to effect clockwise movement of lever 36. When the lower end of lever arm 36 passes over the pivotal center of contactor 32 the spring 34 will act in a well known manner to effect counterclockwise movement of said contactor with a snap action,-said spring at the same time acting to complete the clockwise movement of lever 36. Lever 38 will be yieldably retained in its intermediate position due to engagement of the remote end walls of openings 49,

4I)c with the outer edges of the arms 35 and 36a of levers 35 and 36 (see Fig. 7).

Upon movement of lever 38 from its intermediate or vertical position toward its extreme right-hand position the outer end wall of opening 4|)b will, by its engagement with arm 35a, effect clockwise movement of lever 35i'v and when the lower end of said armpasses overvthe pivotal center of contactor 3| the spring33 will act to snap said contactor toward the right. The reverse operation of the switch parts upon movement of operating lever 38 from the extreme right-hand position to its intermediate or Vertical position and its further movement to the extreme left-hand position illustrated in Fig. 2 is believed to be apparent.

'Ihe switch illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5fis intended to be connected in and to provide for control of the circuits illustrated in Fig. 6. Accordingly I provide three additional bus members 4I, 42 and 43,-the bus member 4| being adapted to electrically connect the terminal members I 8*5L and |9a, the bus member 42 being adapted to electrically connect the terminal members 22EL and 23B, and the bus member 43 being adapted to electrically connect the terminal members 24a and 20a.. Said bus members are each formed of resilient strip metal, such as bronze; and the same are initially provided with downwardly bent end portions (full lines, Fig. 4) which are respectively insertable into pairs of openings 44a, 44D, 44C, I|4d and 44e, 44f in a relatively thin flat plate 44 of insulating material. The ends of members 4| and 42 are bent to extend in opposite directions upon the lower face of plate 44 (as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4 and in full lines in Fig. 2) and the ends of member 43 are bent in a like direction (to the left as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4). Plate 44 is provided with a longitudinally l,extending slot 44g to provideA clearance for the arms 35a and 36a of levers 35 and 36, as best illustrated in Fig. 2, and said plate is provided with additional openings 44h, 44i to afford a symmetrical arrangement of all the openings with obvious advantageous results.

Interposed between insulating member 31 and plate 44 is a relatively thicker punched plate 45 of insulating material,-plate 45 having a longitudinally extending slot a which provides clearance for both the long and short arms of levers 35 and 36. Plate 45 which underlies the aforementioned sliding plate 40 is adapted to retain the latter in proper position relatively to the insulating member 31, and plate 44 which overlies base I5 is adapted to retain the aforementioned stationary contact and terminal members, as Well as the contactors 3| and 32 in properly assembled relation.

A supporting top plate 46, formed of metal, is provided at opposite ends thereof with openings 46a, 4Gb to receive screws (not shown) having countersunk heads for flush attachment of the switch to a suitable support, such as a tool handle or the like. The slot or opening 46c in top plate 46 affords .clearance for the operating lever 38.-the degrees of oscillatory movement of the latter being preferably limited by the end walls of the aforementioned opening 31d in member 31. A pair of headed rivets 41 and 48 are adapted to pass through base I5, plates 44 and 45, member 31,and top plate 46, and are upset over the latter to secure the various parts of the switch in assembled relation.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated diagrammatically the'manner in which the aforedescribed switch may be utilized for eiecting two-speed control of a vacuum cleaner motor 49 or the like. Thus with the switch parts in the respective positions thereof illustrated in Fig. 2, and in full lines in Fig. 6, the circuit of motor 49 is interrupted. Upon movement of operating lever 38 to its intermediate or vertical position contactor 32 is moved to its dotted line position, Fig. 6, to coimplete a circuit for relatively slow speed operation of the motor. Said circuit may be traced from line L1 to terminal member 23, through bus 42, terminal 22a, contact 22h, contactor 32, contact 25h, terminal 25, bus 30, terminal I9?, contact I9b, contactor 3|, contact 20h, terminal 20a, bus 43, terminal 24a, by conductor 5|] through sections 5| and 52 of the series eld of motor 49, and thence through the armature of the latter to line L2.

Upon movement of lever 38 to its extreme right-hand position the contactor 32 remains in the dotted line position thereof illustrated in Fig. 6, and the contactor 3| is moved to the dotted line position thereof illustrated in said figure. Disengagement of contactor 3| from contacts ib and 2l!b interrupts the aforedescribed circuit through sections A5| and 52 of the series eld, but a circuit is immediately completed through the section 52 and alone, said circuit extending from line L1 to terminal |95, as aforedescribed, thence through bus 4|, terminal |83, Contact |8b, contactor 3|, contact 2lb, terminal Zla, by conductor 53 through said section 52 and the armature of motor 49 to line L2. Reverse operation of lever 38 first effects movement of contactor 3| from its dotted line position to its full line position (Fig. 6) to effect inclusion of both sections 5I and 52 in series in the motor circuit, and continued reverse operation of said lever then effects movement of contactor 32 from its dotted line position to its full line position to completely interrupt the motor circuit. It-will of course be understood that lever 38 may be moved at will in either direction from its intermediate or vertical position, with the controlling effects aforedescribed.

` In Figs. 7 and 8 I have shown a modied form of multiple-circuit controlling switch with an intermediate off position. Certain of the parts which are identical with those aforedescribed have been given like numerals of reference. Thus I may employ the aforedescribed base I5, the plates 44 and 45, and the insulating member 31. This arrangement likewise includes the contactors 3|, 32, springs 33, 34, actuating levers 35, 36 and the slidable insulating plate 4G cooperating with said levers. Levers 35 and 36 may be modified, as shown in Fig. '1, by providing openings therein to receive (with a drive t, as described in connection with pin 39 associated with lever 38, Fig. 4) the pivot pins 53 and 54, respectively-the member 31 being provided with transverse openings or passages (not shown) to provide for insertion of said pins and toprovide bearings therefor.

A lever 55 is pivotally supported with respect to member 31, as by means of the pin 39,-the lower end 55a of said lever being formed in the manner illustrated for cooperative engagement with the walls ofthe intermediate opening 401,1 in plate 40 to effect reciprocatory or sliding movement of the latter. The upper end of lever 55 is provided with a notch 55|D having outwardly curved or flared edges for cooperative engagement thereof by the reduced and rounded lower end or projection 56EL of a machined lever 56.

Lever 56 is preferably provided with an intermediate spherical enlargement 561 which substantiallyfllls the bore of an externally threaded hollow metal bushing 51. Bushing .51 and enlargement |16b of lever 56 are provided with alined openings to receive the pivot pin 53,-any well known expedient being utilized to prevent end- Wise displacement of said pin.

Bushing 51 is rigidly secured in the manner illustrated to a metal top plate 53, and the aforedescribed rivets 41 and 43 are utilized to secure the several parts in assembled relation. 'I'he bus members aforedescribed are not used in the switch of Figs. 'l and 8. In the relatively small recesses I3 and 2| at the right-hand end of base I5 are the terminal members I3l and 2| with their associated contact portions |31 and 2lb located within recess I6. Terminal member 2| has attached thereto the .end wiring terminal element 2|d having the binding screw 26. In like manner terminal member I3 is provided with an end wiring terminal element I3d having an associated binding screw 26, and the insulating cylindrical reinforcing strut member 23 is employed. 'I'he small insulating blocks 21 may be employed as shown, or omitted if desired without substantially affecting the rigidity of the`assembled parts. At the left-hand end of base I5 within recesses 24 and 23 is a duplicate, but reversely arranged set of terminal members I3 and 2| having integral contact portions |31 and 2| 1 located within recess I1. The end wiring terminal elements I3d and 2I1 are arranged as shown in commotion with their associated insulating strut member 23 and the binding screws 26. i

As will be apparent from Fig. 7, the lever 56 in its intermediate or vertical position provides for disengagement of each of the contactors 3| and 32 from its cooperating stationary contacts. Upon counterclockwise movement of lever56 to its extremel left-hand position, lever 55 is moved in a clockwise direction, with consequent sliding movement of plate 43 toward the left. This effects clockwise movement of lever 35 with resultant snap movement of contactor 3| in a counterclockwise direction into bridging engagement with its cooperating stationary contacts |31 and 2 I1 to complete one of the controlled circuits. 'I'hereafter upon clockwise movement of lever 56 to its vertical position contactor 3| will be disengaged, with a snap action, from its cooperating contacts to interrupt the aforementioned circuit without affecting the condition of the other circuit controlled by the switch. Upon further clockwise movement of lever 66 to its extreme right-hand position theV parts- Will operate in an obvious manner to eiect snap movement of contactor 32 into bridging engagement with its cooperating pair of contacts.

In Fig. 9 I have shown schematically and diagrammatically an arrangement of circuits to be commutated by the switch-of Figs. 7 and 8. In Fig. 9 the full line positions of contactors 3| and 32 correspond with the positions thereof in Fig. 7, wherein both of the controlled circuits are interrupted. lUpon movement of lever 56 from its intermediate position toward the left (Fig. '7) contactor 3| is moved to its right-hand position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9,-thus cornpleting a circuit from line L1 through an electric lamp 63 or similar translating device to line L2. Upon movement of lever 36 from its intermediate position toward the right contactor 32 is moved to the dotted line position thereof in 9,-thus completing a. circuit from line L1 through the other electric lamp 6I to line L2.

In Fig. 10 I have shown schematically and diagrammatically an arrangement of parts which is structurally quite similar to, and which may be made functionally identical with the switch mechanism shown in Figs. 1 to 6. In the switch of Fig. 10 I do not require the aforementioned bus member 43 (Fig. 6), and instead of the terminal members 23, 24n (Fig. 4), which are specially formed to eliminate or omit the stationary contact portions, I employ at the left-hand end of the switch a reversely arranged duplicate pair 2|, 2lb and I3, |31 of the combined contact and terminal members I3, |31 and 2|, 2|b employed at the right-hand end of the switch. Moreover, it will be noted that the switch of Fig. l0 is provided with an intermediate oiI position, and I have shown the same as adapted to selectively control the circuits of a pair of electric lamps 63 and 6|, or similar translating devices.

Thus with the contactors 3| and 32 in the full line positions thereof illustrated in Fig. 10 the circuits of both lamps 60 and 6I will be interrupted. As aforeindicated such positioning of the contactors corresponds with vertical or intermediate positioning of the operating lever. Upon movement of the operating lever to one of itsI extreme positions contactor 3| is '.noved with a snap action to the dotted line position thereof in Fig. l0, thus completing a circuit for lamp 60 which may be traced from line L1 through lamp 60, through terminal 2|, contact 2lb, contactor 3|, contact I3, bus 4I, terminal I9, bus 30, terminal 25, contact 251, contactor 32, contact 221. terminal 22, bus 42, and terminal 2|n to line L. Thereafter upon return movement of the operating lever to its intermediate position contactor 3| will be disengaged from contacts |31. 2 I1J to'interrupt the circuit of lamp 60.

Upon movement of the operating lever to its vother extreme position contactor 32 will be moved with a snap action to the dotted line position thereof illustrated in Fig. 10, thus completing a circuit for lamp 6 ,-which circuit may be traced from line L1 through lamp 6I, through terminal I3, contact I3, contactor 32, contact 2lb, `and terminal 2|n to line L. Contactor 32 may of course be returned with a snap action to the full line position thereof illustrated in Fig'. 10 without effecting movement of contactor 3| from the full line position thereof aforementioned.

In Figs. 11 and 12 I have shown a modified form of snap switch which is functionally quite similar' to the switch illustrated in Figs. 7 to I9,-in that only two pairs of stationary contact and terminal members are employed to provide a multiplecircuit controlling switch having an intermediate oi position. In this switch the doublearmed actuating levers 35 and 36, the operating lever 33, the contactors 3| and 32 and the springs 33 and 34 are identical with the correspondingly designated parts aforedescribed. The two pairs of combined stationary contact and terminal members I3, |31 and 2|"1, 2|b at opposite ends of the switch are the same as those parts aforedescribed, except that the terminal portions thereof need not be perforated to receive the extrusions or bosses on the aforedescribed end-wiring terminal elements, inasmuch as the bared ends of the terminal wires employed are soldered or otherwise secured directly to the respective terminal portions, as illustrated in dotted lines at the left-hand end of Fig. 11, and as shown in detail in Figs. 13 and 14.

The molded insulating base 62 of Fig. 1l is provided with a pair of relatively large recesses 63 and 64 within which the respective contactors 3| and 32 are adapted for oscillation into and out of bridging engagement with the associated pairs of contact portions I8", 2lb located therewithin. The terminal members are located within pairs of relatively small recesses at opposite ends of base 62,-two of said recesses being shown at 62a -and 621. 'I'he recesses 63 and 66 are spaced endwise only to a degree corresponding to the thickness of the intermediate wall or barrier 62 of base 62,-wherefore the latter is of considerably less length than the base l5 aforedescribed. In like manner the insulating plates 65, 66 and 68 and the insulating member (ill are of reduced length, as compared with the corresponding parts 44, 45, 40 and 31 aioredescribed. 'I'he openings 68a, 68b and 68c in slidable plate 68 are preferably identical in shape and size with the openings 40a, 40b and l0c in plate dit, but are spaced to a lesser degree endwise from each other. Operating lever 38 functions in its intermediate or vertical position to effect disengagement of both contactors 3l and 32 from their associated pairs of stationary contacts, and to eiect bridging engagement of said contactors individually with their associated contacts, depending upon the direction of movement oi lever 3U from its intermediate position. Plate @i5 has attached thereto in the manner aforedescribed a bus inember 12 which is adapted to electrically connect the left-hand terminal member 08e and the right-hand terminal member 2li.

superimposed upon the insulating member @il and substantially coextensive with respect to the latter is a metal top plate t9 having a slot or opening t!)a to provide clearance for lever Plate 69 is preferably provided with inwardly extruded or otherwise thickened portions surrounding the tapped openings lieb, G formed therein,said openings being adapted to receive the Shanks of suitable securing screws (not shown) to provide for concealed mounting oi the switch with respect to a tool handle or sirnilar support. Insulating memberiil is provided with recesses 61a, 61h in the top face thereo to accommodate said extruded portions and the Shanks of the securing screws. The several parts oi the switch are preferably rigidly and permanently secured in assembled relation by the rivets fil, 4d aforedescribed. Two of the circuit wires of the switch are shown at i8 and di in Fig. ll,- the attached ends of said wires being concealed within the switch housing as aforei `iicate l. in each of the switch bases herein disclosed i have shown the bottom Walls of the several relatively small recesses as consisting of relatively thin diaphragms which may be readily removed by broaching to provide for accommodation ci terminal members of the bottom wiring type, as disclosed in my aforementioned Patent No. 1,998,- 962. Also as will be apparent, the several switches herein illustrated are provided with end grooves and the same are otherwise arranged to provide for concealed wiring, as specifically illustrated in Fig. 11.-

Referring to the diagrammatic illustration of Fig. 12, wherein the contactors are shown in full lines in the respective positions thereoic corresponding to intermediate or o positioning of levcr 3S (Fig. il), it will be apparent that upon movement of lever 38 to its extreme left-hand position plate 68 will act to eiiect counterclockwise movement of lever 36 with resultant snap movement o f contacter 32 in a clockwise direction, thus completing a circuit for lamp (iL-which circuit may be traced from line L1 through terminal |88-, contact I8b, contacter 32, contact 2lb, and terminal 2l through lamp 6l to line L2. Also upon movement of lever 38 from its intermediate position to its extreme right-hand position plate 68 will act to effect clockwise movement of lever 35 with resultant snap movement of contactor 3l in a counterclockwise direction, thus completing a circuit for lamp 60,-which circuit may be traced from line Ll through terminal IBB, bus member "l2, terminal 2I, contact 2lb, contactor 3l, contact 08h, terminal I8, through lamp 68 to line L2. As will be apparent from the foregoing description the contactors 3| and 32 may simultaneously occupy the full line positions thereof illustrated in Fig. 12, Whereas the arrangement is such that said contactors are restrained against simultaneous occupation of their dotted line positions.

llhen concealed wiring of the switch is effected, as indicated in Fig. ll., I prefer to initially arrange the wire with the bared end thereoi extending upwardly, as shown in detail at "liln in Fig. 13. Said bared end is attached to terminal portion ita, preferably by spot welding as indi.- cated by the circular dotted line l ib. Wire lli is bent upwardly, as shown in Fig. 14, to reflex the bared end portion il1 of the wire upon itself and to provide for positioning of a substantial length ci the covered portion o the wire between the parallel lugs lilc and idd formed integrally with the terminal member lila. The covered portion oi the wire is then bent at a right angle to extend outwardly from the switch base This arrangement insures a good snubbing action between the circuit wire covering and the switch base G2 and the terminal member, wherefore the welded connection is relieved of any pulling strains to which the circuit wire may be subjected.

What i claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' l. in an electric snap switch, in combination, a molded insulating base having a pair oi relatively large substantially rectangular recesses formed therein and opening to the upper sur- 'face thereof, said recesses being arranged in end to end relation and the adjacent end walls thereof providing an insulating barrier therebetween, a plurality of stationary contacts located within each oi said recesses, a pair of bridging contactors each located within one of said recesses and directly pivotally supported by the walls thereof, said contacto-rs each being movable from one extreme position thereof to the other into and out of bridging engagement with the stationary contacts respectively associated therewith, means ior eiiecting such movements of said contactors with a snap action, said means comprising a pair oi: oscillatable levers each having an abutment formed thereon, a coiled spring interposed between each abutment and the contacter respectively associated therewith, and common operating means ior said levers, said means comprising a slidable member having a lost-motion driving connection with each of said levers, whereby the latter are moved to corresponding extreme positions thereoi sequentially upon movement ci said slidable member from each extreme position thereof to the other.

2. in an electric snap switch, in combination, a molded insulating base having a pair of relatively large substantially rectangular recesses titi Cil

formed therein and opening to the upper surface thereof, said recesses being arranged in end to end relation and the adjacent end walls thereof providing an insulating barrier therebetween, a plurality of stationary contacts located within each of said recesses, a pair of bridging contactors each located within one of said recesses and directly pivotally supported by the walls thereof, said contactors each being movable from one extreme position thereof to the other into and out of bridging engagement with the stationary contacts respectively associated therewith, means for effecting such movements of said contactors with a snap action, said means comprising a pair of oscillatable levers each having an abutment formed thereon, a coiled spring interposed between each abutment and the contactor respectively associated therewith, and common operating means for said levers, said means comprising a slidable member having a lost-motion driving connection with each of said levers, whereby the latter are moved to corresponding extreme positions thereof sequentially upon movement of said slidable member from each extreme position thereof to the other, said springs cooperating with said levers toy yieldably retain said slidable member in an intermediate position of the latter.

3. In an electric snap switch mechanism, in combination, an oscillatable actuating lever, a flat punched plate arranged for reciprocation in a plane at right angles to the plane of oscillation of said lever, said plate having an opening formed therein at the mid-point of the length thereof, the lower end of said lever being engageable with the walls of said opening to provide a driving connection between said parts, said plate also having an opening formed therein adjacent to each end thereof, a pair of levers each having a long arm and a relatively short arm arranged at an angle to each other, said long arms extending downwardly through the respective end openings in said plate and being angled away from each other into'engagement with the respective walls of said end openings remote from each other in the mid-position of said plate, said end openings being suflciently large to provide for lost motion between said plate and one or the other of said long arms respectively upon movement of said plate to one of its extreme positions, each of said long arms when moved to its inner extreme position being adapted to effect engagement of its associated relatively short arm with the respective end edge of said plate, Whereby said pair of levers may be moved sequentially and positively from each extreme position thereof to the oth' upon given extreme movements of said plate, and spring means individual to the respective levers of said pair to accelerate the movements thereof to each extreme pition,

4. In an electric snap switch mechanism, in.

combination, an oscillatable actuating lever, a fiat punched plate arranged for reciprocation in a plane at right angles to the plane of oscillation of said lever, said plate having an opening formed therein .at the mid-point of the length thereof, the lower end of said lever being engageable with the walls of said opening to provide a driving connection between said parts, said plate also having an opening formed therein adjacent to each end thereof, a pair of levers each having a long -arm and a relatively short arm arranged at an angle to each other, said long arms extending downwardly through the respective end openings in said plate and being angled away from each other into engagement with the respective walls of said end openings remote from each other in the mid-position of said plate, said end openings being sufficiently large to provide for lost motion between said plate and one or the other of said long arms upon movement of said plate to one of its extreme positions, each of said long arms when moved to its inner extreme position being adapted to effect engagement of its associated relatively short arm with the respective end edge of said plate, whereby said pair of levers may be moved sequentially and positively from each extreme position thereof to the other upon given extreme movements of said plate, spring means individual to the respective levers of said pair to accelerate the movements thereof to each extreme position, a pair of pivoted contactors, said spring means being also individual to said contactors respectively, and a plurality of sets of resilient stationary contacts into and out of engagement with which said contactors are adapted to move with a snap action.

5. In an electric snap switch mechanism, in combination, a relatively long one-piece molded insulating base having two rectangular groups of recesses formed therein and opening to the upper surface thereof, each of said groups comprising a relatively large substantially rectangular recess and a relatively smaller substantially rectangular recess at each of the four corners of the latter, terminal members located within the respective relatively smaller recesses and having portions thereof arranged substantially flush with the upper surface of said base, certain ofsaid terminal members having resilient stationary contact portions associated therewith and positioned within the respective relatively large recesses, each of said relatively large recesses having a pair of open bearings formed in the opposite side walls thereof. a pair of flat punched sheet metal contactors each pivotally supported by one of said pairs of bearings, means including coiled compression springs individual to the respective contactors to bias the latter for snap movement thereof from each extreme position to the other, said means also including a single actuating element operable to provide for movement of either of said contactors individually from each extreme position thereof to the other or to alternatively provide for movement of said contactors in like directions sequentially, means including a bus member resiliently biased into engagement with two of said terminal members and insulated from other of the same, and means associated with certain of said terminal members to provide for removable attachment of circuit wires.

6. In a snap switch mechanism of the character described, in combination. a relatively long molded insulating base having a pair of substantially rectangular recesses formed therein in endwise alinement with each other and opening to the upper surface of said base, a pair of relatively small substantially rectangular recesses formed in said base adjacent to each of the opposite ends thereof and spaced endwise from the recesses first mentioned, a terminal member located within each of said relatively small recesses, contact portions formed integrally with said terminal members and positioned in pairs at the ends of said first mentioned recesses remote from each other, each of said rst mentioned recesses having a pair of open pivotal bearings formed in the side walls thereof, a pair of flat punched sheet metal contactors of substantially bail-form in pivotal engagement with said pairs of bearings, a molded insulating member superimposed upon said base, a pair of levers supported by said in- 5 sulating member for limited oscillatory movement with respect thereto, each of said levers comprising a relatively long arm and a relatively short arm arranged at an angle to each other, said long arms extending downwardly l into the first mentioned recesses, a coiled compression spring interposed between the lower end of each of said long arms and one of said contactors, a at punched plate of insulating material interposed between said base and l said insulating member and slidable with respect thereto, said plate having an elongated vopening formed therein adjacent to each end thereof and through which the long arms of said levers respectively extend,therespective outer end Walls of said openings being engageable with said long arms to effect oscillatory movement of said levers selectively, each of said levers when so moved being adapted to effect positioning of its short arm within the plane of movement of the adjacent end portion of said plate, whereby each of said levers may be moved individually and positively from each extreme position thereof to the other upon movement of said plate between an intermediate position thereof and one of its extreme positions, and a plvoted actuating element having a driving connection with said plate.

7. In an electric snap vswitch mechanism, in combination, a molded insulating base having a plurality of recesses formed therein and opening to the upper surface thereof, a plurality of stationary contacts located within each of said recesses, a plurality of contactors located within the respective recesses and oscillatable into and out of engagement with pairs of said contacts,

a molded insulating member superimposed upon said base, a plurality of actuating elements oscillatably supported by said insulating member, a coiled compression spring interposed between each of said actuating elements and the respective contactors, a flat punched plate of insulating material interposed between said base and said insulating member and slidable with respect thereto, said insulating plate having a positive driving connection with each of lsaid actuating elements to effect movements thereof from each extreme position to the other, said plate also having means affording a predetermined degree of lost motion between the same and each of said actuating elements' to thereby providev for operation of certain of the latter during inaction of other of the same, a lever pivotally supported by said insulating member and having a portion thereof extending upwardly through the latter, said lever having a reduced lower end portion,

said plate having an opening formed therein to accommodate the lower end of said lever whereby the former is operated by the latter, `means including wiring terminal and bus members for affording the desired electrical connections for said contacts, a supporting top plate superimposed upon said insulating member, and a plurality of fastening members penetrating said base, said insulating member and said top plate and adapted to rigidly secure the same in assembled relation to each other.

8. In an electric snap switch mechanism, in combination, a molded insulating base having a pair of relatively large substantially rectangular main recesses formed therein and opening to the upper surface thereof, eight relatively small recesses formed in said base and arranged in spaced relation to said main recesses respectively at the four corners of each of the latter, eight terminal members each having a press fit Within one of said relatively small recesses, means associated with the pair of terminals at one end of the base to facilitate attachment of a pair of circuit wires thereto, a pair of bus members for electrically connecting in adjacent pairs one set of four longitudinally alined terminal members, the other set of four longitudinally alined terminal members having a bus member electrically connecting the end terminal member of the pair aforementioned with the third terminal member in said set, a bus member electrically connecting the second terminal member in said last mentioned set with the third terminal member in said rst mentioned set, means associated with the fourth terminal member in said last mentioned set to facilitate attachment of a circuit wire, a stationary contact associated with each of the terminal members except the end pair of terminal members aforementioned, whereby three transversely alined pairs of contacts are provided, a flat punched sheet metal contacter oscillatable within each of said main recesses and directly supported by the walls thereof, means including a pair of coiled compression springs each individual to one of said contactors to bias the latter for snap movement thereof from each extreme position to the other, means including a single actuating element operable to provide for movement of either of said contactors individually from each eXtreme position thereof to the other or to alternatively provide for movement of said contactors in like directions sequentially, said actuating element being adapted upon movement thereof to one extreme position to effect like extreme positioning of both of said contactors whereby the circuits controlled thereby are interrupted, said actuating element being also adapted upon movement thereof to its intermediate position to eiect movement of one of said contactors to its opposite extreme position whereby one of the controlled circuits is completed, and said actuating element being adapted upon movement thereof to its other extremeposition to effect movement of the other of said contactors to its opposite extreme position whereby another of the controlled circuits is completed.

9. In an electric snap switch mechanism, in combination, a molded insulating base having a pair of relatively large substantially rectangular recesses formed therein and opening to the upper surface thereof, eight relatively small recesses formed in said base and arranged in spaced relation to said main recesses respectively at the four corners of each of the latter, eight terminals each inserted into one of said relatively small recesses, metal members attached tothe respective terminals at one end of the base and projecting outwardly from the latter to provide for removable attachment of a pair of circuit wires, a pair of resilient metal bus members for electrically connecting in adjacent pairs one set of four longitudinally alined terminal members the other set of four longitudinally alined terminal members having a resilient metal bus member electrically connecting the end terminal member of the pair aforementioned with the third terminal member in said set, a resilient metal bus member electrically connecting the second terminal member in said last mentioned set with the third terminal member in said first mentioned set, a metal member attached to the fourth terminal member in said last mentioned set and projecting outwardly from said base to provide for removable attachment of a circuit wire, a stationary contact associated with each of the terminal members except the end pair of terminal members aforementioned, whereby three transversely alined pairs of contacts are provided, a pair of flat punched sheet metal contactors respectively oscillatable within said main recesses and supported by the walls thereof, a pair of coiled compression springs each individual to one of said contactors to bias the latter for snap movement thereof from each extreme position to the other, means including a single operating lever adapted to provide for movement of either of said contactors individually from each extreme position thereof to the other or to alternatively provide for movement of said contactors in like directions sequentially, said lever being adapted upon movement thereof to one extreme position to effect like extreme positioning of both of said contactors whereby the circuits controlled thereby are interrupted, said lever being also adapted upon movement thereof to its intermediate position to effect movement of one of said contactors to its opposite extreme position whereby one of the controlled circuits is completed, and said lever being adapted upon movement thereof to its other extreme position to effect movement of the other of said contactors to its opposite extreme position whereby said first mentioned circuit is interrupted and the other controlled circuit is completed.

10. In an electric snap switch mechanism, in combination, a molded insulating base having a pair of relatively large substantially rectangular main recesses formed therein and opening to the upper surface thereof, eight relatively small recesses formed in said base and arranged in spaced relation to said main recesses respectively at the four corners of each of the latter, eight terminal members each having a press t within one of said relatively small recesses, means associated with the pair of terminals at one end of the base to facilitate attachment of a pair of circuit wires thereto, a pair of bus members for electrically connecting in adjacent pairs one set of four longitudinally alined terminal members, a bus mem- ;,0 ber electrically connecting the second terminal member in the other set with the third terminal member in said rst mentioned set, means associated with the fourth terminal member in the last mentioned set to facilitate attachment of a circuit wire, a resilient stationary contact associated with each of the terminal members, whereby four transversely alined pairs of contacts are provided, a flat punched sheet metal contactor oscillatable within each of said main recesses and directly supported by the walls thereof, means including a pair of coiled springs each individual to one of said contactors t'o bias the latter for snap movement thereof from each extreme position to the other, means including a single actuating element operable to provide for movement of either of said contactors individually from each extreme position thereof to the other or to alternatively provide for movement of said contactors in like directions sequentially, said actuating element being adapted upon intermediate positioning thereof to effect movement of said contactors to the extreme positions thereof adjacent to each other whereby the circuits controlled thereby are interrupted, said actuating elelnent being adapted upon movement thereof toone extreme position to eiect movement of one of said contactors to its opposite extreme position whereby one of the controlled circuits is completed, and said actuating element being adapted upon movement thereof to its other extreme position to effect movement of the other of said contactors to its opposite extreme position whereby another of the controlled circuits is completed.

11. As an article of manufacture, a flat punched sheet metal actuating lever for an electric snap switch of the toggle type, said lever having an end portion formed to provide for pivotal engagement thereof with a suitable support, said lever having a pair of arms extending from said end portion at an acute angle with respect to each other, one of said arms being relatively longer than the other, the free end of said relatively long arm being formed to provide a spring abutment, and the free end of the relatively short arm being formed to provide for driving thereof in one direction by a reciprocating element of suitable form.

12. In an electric snap switch mechanism, in combination, a pair of flat punched sheet metal actuating levers, each of said levers having a pair of integral arms arranged at an acute angle with respect to each other, one arm of each lever being relatively longer than the other, said relatively long arms being respectively formed to provide spring abutments, the relatively short arms being respectively formed to provide for driving thereof in one direction by a reciprocating actuating element, a molded insulating member having a pair of recesses within which the respective levers are oscillatably supported with the long arms thereof adjacent to each other, said recesses each having end walls arranged at an acute angle greater than the angle of said arms to thereby limit the degrees of oscillatory movement of the respective levers, the aforementioned actuating element comprising a flat punched plate of insulating material having a relatively long substantially rectangular opening formed therein adjacent to each endvthereof, the end Walls of said openings remote from each other being engageable with the long arms of said levers respectively during movement of said plate to opposite extreme positions, the short arms of said levers being engageable by the respective end edges of said plate during reverse movement of said plate to opposite extreme positions, said plate having an opening formed therein between said rst mentioned openings, and a manually operable lever pivotally supported by said insulating member, said last mentioned lever having a. reduced end portion engageable with the walls of said last mentioned opening in said plate to effect reciprocation of the latter.

13. In a snap switch mechanism of the multiple-circuit controlling type, in combination, a molded insulating base of substantially rectangular contour having a pair of relatively large recesses formed therein in endwise alinement with each other and opening to the upper surface of said base, a pair of relatively smaller recesses formed in said base adjacent to each of the opposite ends thereof and spaced endwise from the respective recesses first mentioned, a wiring terminal member located within each of said relatively smaller recesses, contact portions formed integrally with said wiring terminal members and positioned in pairs at the remote ends respectively of said rst mentioned recesses, each of saidrst mentioned recesses having a pair of open pivotal bearings formed in the opposite side walls thereof, a pair of flat punched sheet metal contactors of substantially bail-form in pivotal engagement with said pairs of bearings, a molded insulating member superimposed upon said base,

a pair of levers supported by said insulating member for limited oscillatory movement with respect thereto, each of said levers comprising a relatively long arm and a relatively short arm arranged at an acute angle with respect to each other, said long arms extending downwardly into the first mentioned recesses, a coiled compression spring interposed between the lower end of each of said long arms and one of said contactors, said insulating member having a relatively shallow rectangular recess formed in the lower face thereof, a flat punched plate of insulating material located within said recess and slidable therein longitudinally of said insulating member, said plate having an elongated opening formed therein adjacent to each end thereof and through which the long arms of said levers respectively extend, the end edges of said plate being respectively and alternately engageable with the short arms of said levers upon movement of said plate toward opposite extreme positions thereof, said plate also having a substantially centrally located opening formed therein, an operating lever pivotally supported by said insulating member, the lower end of said operating lever being engageable with the end walls of said last mentioned opening to effect sliding movement of said insulating plate.

14. In an electric snap switch mechanism, in combination, a molded insulating member having a recess opening to the lower face thereof, a pair of flat punched actuating levers oscillatably supported within said recess in spaced relation to each other, the walls of said recess being formed to limit said levers to movement in a single plane, each of said levers comprising an integral pair of arms arranged at an acute angle relatively to each other, the walls of said recess being formed to limit the degrees of movement of said levers in opposite directions respectively, said recess including alined longitudinal ledges offset inwardly from the lower face of said member, a flat punched plate of insulating material adapted to seat against said ledges in a relation substantially iiush with the lower face of said member and slidable with respect thereto, said guiar opening formed therein adjacent to each end thereof, said openings being adapted to accommodate one arm of the respective levers and to afford a lost motion driving connection with each of the latter, said plate also having an opening formed therein between said first mentioned openings, an operating lever pivotally supported by said insulating member, said operating lever having a reduced lower end portion engageable with the walls of said last mentioned opening to effect sliding movement of said plate at will, and an insulating plate underlying said insulating member and adapted to retain said rst mentioned plate in assembled position.

l5.'In an electric snap switch, in combination, a molded insulating base having a pair of relatively large substantially rectangular recesses formed therein and opening to the upper surface thereof, said recesses being arranged in end to end relation and the adjacent end walls thereof providing an insulating barrier therebetween, a plurality of stationary contacts located within each of said recesses, a pair of bridging contactors each located within one of said recesses and directly pivotally supported by the walls plate having an elongated substantially rectanthereof, said contactors each being movable from one extreme position thereof to the other into and out of bridging engagement with the stationary contacts respectively associated therewith, means for effecting such movements of said contactors with a snap action, said means comprising a pair of flat punched sheet metal levers oscillatably supported in a common plane, said levers each having an abutment formed thereon, a coiled spring interposed between each abutment and the contactor respectively associated therewith, andcommon operating means for said levers, said last mentioned means comprising a slidably mounted flatpunched plate of insulatingmaterial, said plate having a lost motion driving connection with each of said levers.

16. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a pair of metal contactors of substantially bailform the pivot ends of which are supported in fixed parallel planes, stationary contacts associated with said contactors, said contactors each being movable from one extreme position thereof to the other into and out of bridging engagement with the stationary contacts respectively associated therewith, means for effecting such movements of said contactors with a snap action, said means comprising a pair of at punched sheet metal levers respectively oscillatable about fixed points and each having an abutment formed thereon, a coiled compression spring interposed between each abutment and the contactor respectively associated therewith, and common operating means-for said levers, said means comprising a slidable insulating member having a lost-motion driving connection with each of said levers, whereby the latter are moved to corresponding extreme positions thereof sequentially upon movement of said slidable member from each extreme position thereof to the other, said springs cooperating with said levers to positively but yieldably retain said slidable member in an intermediate position of the latter.

17. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a molded insulating base having a pair of relatively large substantially rectangular recesses formed therein and opening to the upper surface thereof, said recesses being arranged in end to end relation and the adjacent end walls thereof providing an insulating barrier therebetween, said base also having a pair of relatively smaller substantially rectangular recesses formed therein at each of the opposite ends thereof, a plurality of one-piece combined Contact and wiring terminal members, the contact portions of said members being located within said relatively large recesses and the wiring terminal portions thereof being located within said relatively smaller recesses, each of said wiring terminal portions having a pair of lugs respectively extending in parallel relation from the vertical side edges thereof to provide a channel to the bottom Wall of which a circuit wire may be attached, a pair of bridging contactors each located within one of said relatively large recesses and directly pivotally supported by the opposed side Walls thereof, said contactors each being movable from one extreme position thereof to the other into and out of bridging engagement with the contact portions respectively associated therewith, means for ei'- fecting such movements of said contactors with a snap action either individually with respect to each other or in a predetermined sequence, said means comprising a pair of pivotally supported flat punched sheet metal levers each having an abutment formed thereon, a coiled compression said means, and said springs cooperating with said levers to positively but yieldably retain said operating means in the extreme or intermediate positions thereof respectively.

ALVIN W. mIEGER. 

